Labeling machine



Jam 21, 1947. a. w. VON HOFE LABELING MACHINE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Sept. 1, 1944 INV ENT0R. Gi o/ 5514. row/76a? V 'Jan.21,-1947 G; w. VON HOFE I 2,414,621

LABELING MACHINE Filed Sept. 1, 1944 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 i 44' IIIHH lml 24 45 B2 5 INVENTOR.

Gal/e65 Wm Home Patented Jan. 21, 1947 ZAlifiZl LABELING MACHINE George W. von Hofe, Bound Brook, N. 3., assignor to New Jersey Machine Corporation, Hoboken, N. J., a corporation of New Jersey I Continuation of application Serial No. 423,128,

December 16, 1941. This application September 1, 1944, Serial No. 552,246

2 Claims.

The invention relates to labeling machines and has for its obect to provide a machine with a plurality of applying means whereby labels may be efiiciently applied simultaneously to a plurality of articles, or applied to separate parts of a given article, or successively applied in different positions on the same article.

The invention contemplates further the provision of a novel supporting means for supporting the articles, which in co-operation with the label applying means automatically sets said articles in label-receiving positions, regardless of the specific character of said articles and regardless of the specific nature of the labeling operation.

Other objects will appear from the description hereinafter and the features of novelty will be pointed out in the claims.

This application is a continuation of another application, .Ser. No. 423,128. filed by me on December 16, 1941.

In the accompanying drawings, which illustrate examples of the invention without defining its limits,

1 Fig. 1 is a sectional elevation of a labeling machine embody ng the novel features;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary front elevation on an enlarged scale of the novel supporting means and associated elements, and

Fig. 3 is a similar view illustrating another form of supporting means.

The labeling machine selected for the purpose of illustrat ng and describing the novel means and the novel features comprises a suitable frame it on which hoppers I l are supported in any convenient manner. Each hopper is arranged to contain a supply of labels A in the form of a stack resting upon the bottom l2 of said hopper as illustrated in Fig. 1. As is customary in labeling machines of the type shown, the bottoms l2 are ver tically movable upward at intervals determined by the progressively diminishing height of the stacks due to the removal of successive labels A therefrom, The purpose of the aforesaid upward movements of the bottom I2 is to periodically restore the upper ends of the stacks of labels A to a predeterminel level. As the mechanism and controlling means whereby these results are accomplished are well-known, and per se form'no part of the instant invention, it has not been deemed necessary to show the same in detail. The elevating mechanism is illustrated by the rack and pinion I3 and the controlling means'is exemplified by the feeler l 5 and its associated elements.

The labeling machine illustrated in the draw ings further includes suitable means for successively removing individual terminal labels A from the upper ends of the stacks in the hoppers l l at what may be termed the pick-up station of the machine and transferring said individual labels to the label applying station for application to the articles supported thereat as will be more fully described hereinafter.

In its illustrated form the label transferring means refered to above is of the suction operated type and includes a carriage l5 slidably mounted upon a horizontal guide rail It supported on the frame Ill in any convenient manner. The carriage I5 is arranged to be slidably reciprocated on the rail IS in any well-known way in proper operative timing with the other parts of the machine, as for instance by means of an arm 11 fixed upon a shaft 18 suitably journalled on the frame Hi. It will be understood that suitable provision is made to operatively rock the shaft l8 in a manner to produce the des red results as shown for instance in my United States Patent No. 2.227,- 816 of January '7, 1941. The free end of the arm I! is pivotally connected with a coupling rod is which in turn is pivotally and yieldingly connected with 2. lug 20 forming part of or fixed upon the carriage l5 as shown in Fig. 1.

The carriage l5 serves as a support for a relatively movable member 2| terminating at its lower end in a yoke 22 which in turn carries a supporting plate 23 preferably removably mounted in the yoke'ZZ and provided with a plurality of suction heads 24 and 25 which depend from said plate 23 in spaced relation to each other as illus- 2,227,816 previously referred to herein.

In addition the labeling machine is constructed and operates in a manner to provide for the verticalo-peration of the suction heads 2% andfifirelatively to the carriage 15 for the purpose of simultaneously removing terminal labels A from'the stacks in the hoppers! I and subsequently deposit- ,ing'said'lahelsat the label applying station on the articles designed to receive the same.

Insofar as the aforesaid vertical operation is concerned, this arrangement is also well-known and an example thereof is also illustrated inmy Patent No. 2,227,-

The labeling machine further includes means for developing a'pressure upon the labels subsequent to their initial deposit upon the articles by the suction heads 24 and 25 in order to complete the application of said labels to said articles. In its illustrated form, the pressure means consists of a pressure member 21 carried by a plunger 28 vertically slidable in a guideway 29 conveniently supported in proper position upon the frame I 0. The pressure member 2'! includes two pressure devices 33 and 3| depending from the member 2! in proper positions to effect the development of pressure on the deposited labels as will ,be more fully set forth hereinafter. The pressure member 21 and its associated elements may be vertically actuated in operative synchronism with the other parts of the machine in any suitable manner as by means of a lever 32 loosely mounted on the shaft IE and connected with suitable and conventional operating means for instance as illustrated in my previously mentionedPatent No. 2,227,816.

In labeling machines of the type selected for purposes of illustration and description, the individual labels A after having been picked up from the stacks in the hoppers II are provided with coatings of adhesive during the transfer of said labels to the applyingstation of the machine. For this purpose adhesive applying means is provided and may consist of an adhesive applying roll 33 located in tangential relation to an adhesive distributing roll 34 which dips into a supply of adhesive contained in a receptacle 35 suitably located and mounted in the machine.

At the label applying station the machine is provided with novel means for supporting the articles B and B in label receiving position. The supporting means referred to is illustrated in the form of a slide 36 slidably mounted in guide bearings 3! carried by a bracket 38 suitably fixed upon the frame it as by means of screws 39. At its upper end the slide 36. is provided with a carrier so preferablyextending transversely thereto and removably secured in place thereon by means of screws 4! as shown in Fig. 2. The carrier 4!] in turn includes depending bearings 40 in which members 42 and 42 are slidably mounted for vertical movement therein. The members 42 and 42 carry heads 43 and 43 which, as shown in 2 may be recessed to provide seats 44 and 44 for the accommodation of the respective article B and B. The heads 43 and 43 are resiliently mounted on the carrier 40, for instance, by means of springs 45 each'having one end secured to a lug 48 on the carrier 40 and the other end fastened to a pin 4! projecting from the respective members 42 and 42 The latter include transversely extending projections 48 in which stop screws 49 are mounted and fixed in adjusted positions for instance by means of lock nuts 50. The stop screws 49 by engagement with lugs located on the guide bearings 49* serve to arrest the sliding movements of the members 42 and 42 in the bearings 44 in one direction and thereby predetermine the normal position of'the respective heads 43 and 43 on the carrier 40.

During an operative cycle of the machine the slide 36 is periodically reciprocated in the guide bearings 3'! to correspondingly operate the carrier 49 and the heads 43 and 43 carried thereby. Any suitable mechanism may be provided for effecting thesecperations in proper timing in the operative cycle of the machine. For instance, as shown in Fig. 1, the aforesaid mechanism may include a bell-crank lever 52 having its one member mova- 4 bly connected with the slide 36 and its other member provided with a roller 53, said bell-crank lever 52 being pivoted at 54 for instance, on an extension 55 of the bracket 38. A spring 53 is connected with the bell-crank lever 52 and exerts a tension thereon whereby the roller,53 is maintained in rolling engagement with an operating cam 57 fixed upon a shaft 58 suitably journalled in the frame l8 and operated in any convenient and conventional manner.

. In the operation of the machine the carriage i 5 is shifted to the right on the guide rail 16 to a terminal position in which the suction heads 24 and 25 are located above and in registry with the stacks of labels A in the hoppers II. It will be understood that said suction heads 24 and 25 are positioned on the plate 23 to secure the indicated co-operation with the supply stacks of labels. In proper operative timing the member 25 is slidably moved downwardly on the carriage E5 to correspondingly move the yoke 22 and to bring the suction heads 24 and 25 into contact with the terminal labels A at the upper ends of the respective supply stacks. At this stage, suction is developed in said suction heads 24 and 25 and the member 2| is moved upwardly on the carriage E5 to correspondingly raise the yoke 22 and suction heads 24 and 25 and thereby remove said terminal labels from the upper ends of said supply stacks. These operations carry the labels supported on the suction heads 24 and 25, to a level corresponding to that of the upper part of the adhesive applying roll 33. The operating mechanism is then caused to rock the shaft 18 in a direction to swing the arm I'l toward the left in 1, which movement is transmitted by the coupling rod 19 to the carriage. l5 and slidably shifts the latter and its associated elements to the left on the rail is to a terminal position at the label applying station of the machine. As these operative steps are carried out, the labels carried by the suction heads 24 and 25 will .pass in tangential adhesive-receiving-relation to the adhesive applying roll 33 so that each of said labels will receive a coating of adhesive therefrom before reaching the aforesaid label applying station. At the latter, the member 2| and yoke 22 are moved downwardly on the carriage IE to correspondingly move the suction heads 24 and 25 to thereby bring the labels A carried by said suction heads to a constant common label applying level or position. Coincidentally, with these operations the cam 51 acting on the bellcrank lever 52 moves the slide 36 upwardly in the guide bearings 3? and correspondingly raises the carrier 4i! and the heads 43 and 43 mounted thereon. This last-named operation of the parts brings the surfaces of the articles B and B to which the labels are to be applied, into contact with the labels carried by the suction heads 24 and 25 at the time. In other words, the articles )3 and B or specifically the label receiving surfaces thereof, are shifted to the aforesaid constant common labeling level or position assumed or occupied by the suction heads 24 and 25. If the articles B and B differ in physical form at the label receiving surfaces thereof, the springs 45 will permit whatever movement may be necessary to automatically adjust the label receiving surfaces of the articles B and B respectively, to the proper label receiving level. For instance, as shown in Fig. 2, the article B is provided with a recessed surface 27 to which the label carried by the suction head 24 is to be applied, while the article B includes a flat unrecessed surface on which the label carried by the suction head is to be deposited. In other words, the label receiving surfaces of the articles 13 and B when the latter are in label receiving positions on the heads &3 and te are normally located in diiferent planes. Under the circumstances, as the slide and carrier is are moved upwardly in the manner previously described, the label receiving surface of the article B will contact the label carried by the suction head 25 before the recess surface b of the article B engages the label carried by the suction head' 24-. Because of the engagement of the label receiving surface of the article B with the label on the suction head 25, a continued upward operation of the parts as described will slidably adjust the head Q3 relatively to the carrier 4% against the tension of the associated spring to enable the head 43 to continue its upward movement until the recessed surface 22 of the article 13 properly engages the label carried by the suction head 2 Any continued upward movement beyond this .point will simply depress both heads 43 and as relatively to the carrier 4!} against the tension of the springs 45 to automatically insure a proper positioning of the articles B and B at the label receiving level.

The labels A carried by the suction heads 24 and 25 will thereby be initially deposited on the label receiving surfaces of the articles B and B and because of their adhesive coatings will adhere thereto. At the proper moment the suction in the suction heads 25 and 25 is relieved the parts are operated to raise the yoke 22 and member 2! on th carriage iii to thereby lift the suction heads 24 and 25 away from the deposited labels A which remain in initial connection with the articles B and B.

It will be understood that the said upward movement of the yoke 22 and member 2| on the carriage 5 is sufficient to bring the suction heads 26 and 25 to a level above that of the adhesive applying roller 33. The carriage I5 is then sh fted to the right on the rail it to its right hand terminal position at the label pick-up station without contacting the adhesive applying roller 33, whereupon the operation of picking up successive terminal labels A from the supply stacks of labels is repeated. In the meantime, the plunger 28 is moved downwardly in the guideway 29 to correspondingly move the pressure member 2? downwardly to thereby move the pressure devices and 3! approximately to the position previously occupied by the suction heads 24 and 25. If the heads 43 and 63 with the articles B and B thereon have meanwhile remained in their elevated position, the pressure devices 3!! and 3| will engage the previously deposited labels A on said articles B and B and firmly press said labels into engagement with the label receiving surfaces of said articles to complete the application of the labels thereto. During the aforesaid pressure operations, the springs will enable the heads 43 and 63 to adjust themselves in a manner to bring about an automatic co-operation of the articles B and B with the pressure devices 39 and iii respectively, whereby such final application of the labels is efficiently carried out.

The supporting means shown in Fig. 3 for supporting the articles to be labeled, generally speaking, may correspond in construction and operation to the supporting means illustrated in Fig. 2. In the form now being described the supporting means is designed specially for supporting recessed articles which are to be coincidentally labeled upon a predetermined interior face and a predetermined exterior face thereof. Such articles are exemplified for instance by the recessed cover B and the recessed body B of conventional face. powder containers or boxes. Under such conditions the head 43 is designed to receive the recessed article or cover. E the arrangement preferably being such that said article 13 fits over the head 43 with its top resting in surface errgagement with said head 43 as illustrated in Fig. 3. The. head 43? on the other hand is constructed to accommodate the recessed article or body 13 which with the cover B constitutes the aforesaid face powder container or its equivalent. The head 63 therefore. is preferably pro vided with a reces 44* into which the recessed article or body B is fitted with its bottom resting upon the bottom of the recess 44*.

With this arrangement the suction heads 24 and 25 which correspond to the previously mentioned suction heads 24 and 25, are of predetermined dimensions dependent upon the inside depth of the recessed article or body 13 Otherwise, the machine may be constructed and operate in the same way as previously described herein.

In the instant form the labels are picked up from the supply stacks by the suction heads 24 and 25 and are carried thereby in adhesive receiving relation to the adhesive applying roll 33, and then brought to the label applying station at which the parts are actuated as previously set forth herein, to adjust the suction heads Z t and 25 on the carriage i5 in a manner to bring the labels carried by said suction heads to a common constant label applying position as in the form first referred to. The heads 43' and. et are raised in the same way as mentioned hereinbefore until the top of the article or cover B contacts with the label carried by the suction head Zi At this stage, the suction head 25 projects into the interior of the recessed article or body 13 and the upward movement of the heads and 43 is continued until the interior surface of the bottom of said article or body B engages the label carried by the suction head 25 It will be understood that during this continued upward movement the head 43* with the article or cover B in place thereon and in contact with the label on the suction head 24*, will yield on the carrier it? against the tension of the associated spring 45.

As will be apparent, the ioresaid operations deposit the label carried by the suction head 24 upon the outer surface of the top of the article or cover B and at the same time deposit the label carried by the suction head 2.": upon the bottom of the article or body 33 interiorly thereof. It will be understood that the suction heads 24 and 25 are dimensioned to permit proper deposit of the label carried by the suction head 25 on the interior surface of the article or body 13 Without interference. While it is preferred to have the suction heads 26 and 25 of corresponding dimensions in vertical directions in Fig. 3, this is not absolutely essential as the suction head 24 may be of a lesser dimension in this direction. In such case, it is simply necessary to properly adjust the setting of the head 43 on the carrier ill by adjusting the associated stop screw 49 as will be apparent.

In proper operative timing suction is relieved in the suction heads 24 and 25 and the parts are operated in the manner previously set forth herein to raise such suction heads and move them away from the deposited labels which remain in initial adhesive connection with the surfaces of the respective articles B and B in the same way as mentioned withrespect to the form first described. The carriage 5 with its associated parts including the suction heads E i and 25? is then returned tothe label pick-up station as in the form first described and the pressure means is operated to cause pressure devices similar to the devices 30 and SI to press the initially deposited labels into firm engagement with the surfaces of the articles E and B respectively, to complete the application of said labels to said articles. It will be understood that the pressure devices 33) and 3! are dimensioned similarly to the dimensions of the suction heads 2d and 25 in order to properly perform the aforesaid pressing operations on the exterior of the articleB and the interior of the article B In both illustrated forms of the novel mechanism the pressure member 21 is restored to its normal inoperative position subsequently to the completion of the application to the articles and the article supporting means is likewise returned to its normal lowered position by the continued operation of the cam 51 and the actuation of the bell-crank lever 52 under the influence of the spring 55 to slidably move the slide 36 downwardly in the guide bearings 31 to thereby correspondingly move the associated article supporting heads to the initial position illustrated in'Fig. 1. t this stage, the fully labeled articles are easily removable from the respective supporting heads and likewise are easily replaced by subsequent articles to which labels are to be applied.

The machine in all of its forms is capable of efficiently applying several labels to different parts of the same article, for instance, by simply interchanging the articles such as the articles B and B on the respective supporting heads 43 and 43 in relatively reversed positions thereon and then continuing the operation of the machine through another operative cycle to repeat the labeling operations as previously described herein.

By properly constructing and arranging the heads for supporting the articles in label receiving positions, labels may be eificiently applied to separate parts of a given article, for instance, as illustrated in Fig. 3, or labels may be efficiently applied to different articles, for instance, as illustrated in Fig. 2. In some forms of labeling machines the labels to be applied may be transferred to a constant labeling level or position by the label transferring means without requiring any movement of the parts corresponding to the vertical movements of the suction heads-Hand 25, or 24 and 25 in which case the vertical movements of the article supporting means alone are relied upon to bring the articles into label receiving relation to the label applying means.

The novel mechanism is of simple construction and of maximum eiiiciency and operation and may be easily embodied in existing types of labeling machines of predetermined construction and operation. Various changes in the specific forms shown and described may be made withinthe scope of the claims without departing from the spirit of the invention.

I claim: 7 1. A labeling machine comprising label applying means for supporting a label in an applying position, a supporting member slidably mounted in operative relation to said label supslidably mounted on said carrier for supporting an article to be labeled, a spring connected to said head and carrier and yieldably supporting said head in an advanced position on said carrier, a stop on said carrier, adjustable means on said head coacting with said stop and operable to vary the advanced position of said head and means for slidably operating said supporting member to adjust the article on said supporting head into yielding surface contact with the label on said label applying means to thereby transfer said label to said article.

2. A labeling machine comprising label applying means for supporting a label in an applying position, a supporting member slidably mounted in operative relation to said label support, a carrier secured to said member, a head movably mounted on said carrier for supporting an article to be labeled, a spring connected to said head and carrier and yieldably supporting said head in an advanced position on said carrier, a stop on said carrier, adjustable means on said head coacting with said stop and operable to vary the advanced position of said head, a pivoted bell-crank lever operatively connected with said supporting member, and a cam for operatively rocking said bell-crank lever to slidably operate said carrier and supporting head to adjust the article on said supporting head into yielding surface contact with the label on said label applying means to thereby transfer said label to said article.

GEORGE W. VON HOFE. 

